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December 9, 2024 (Orlando, FL)-Today Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando, in partnership with a diverse roster of Central Florida nonprofits and arts groups, announced they are seeking up to 20 local artists to participate in the “Art Pollination: Building Food Justice through Creativity” public art project, designed to address food insecurity, a serious challenge in our regional community.
The “Art Pollination: Building Food Justice through Creativity” project was awarded a $1 million grant through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, which brings together mayors, residents, and artists to develop innovative, temporary public art projects that address important civic issues in their communities.
Earlier this fall, the City announced nationally renowned artist Juan William Chávez would serve as the lead artist for the project. Selected local artists will have the opportunity to work in partnership with Chávez (and a second juried artist, to be announced in the next few weeks). They will be invited to create new work for display and participation along the Orlando Urban Trail, at community centers, at food event sites, in project wayfinding, on Urban Billboards, and in exhibitions at the Downtown Arts District’s CityArts venue and at the City Hall Terrace Gallery in Downtown Orlando.
“For years, we’ve witnessed how the work of our local artists brings people together, strengthens our community, and helps create the unique quality of life we enjoy throughout our City and our entire region,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “That’s why we prioritized having local artists serve as a focal point of our application for the Bloomberg Public Art Challenge. We are excited to see how Orlando’s diverse and talented community of artists will use their talents to help shine a light on this important issue and spark conversations and collaborations that help create and inspire change and innovative solutions around food insecurity.”
“Art Pollination” is a collaborative public art project in partnership with various local nonprofits, including Black Bee Honey, 4Roots, Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Ideas for Us-Fleet Farming, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Orange County (UF/IFAS).
How to apply:
Beginning today through Monday, January 13, 2025, at 5:00 pm, interested artists can apply online at:orlando.gov/artpollination. Selected artists will be announced at the end of January, 2025. The project will be developed and executed over the next 12 months with an anticipated public launch of art installations and community engagement beginning in the first quarter of 2025.
Additional Information:
Additional information about “Art Pollination: Building Food Justice through Creativity” as well as the call for local artists can be found here.
Please submit your materials or direct any questions to Flynn Dobbs City of Orlando Public Art Coordinator atFlynn.Dobbs@orlando.gov or 689-262-1712.
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